Hello, friends. I’ve missed you. I’m finding my voice as we emerge from the latest eclipse-retrograde season. Mercury retrograded through Taurus April 21st - May 14th. Meanwhile the April 19th solar eclipse in Aries followed by the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio set off (potentially) major beginnings (Aries) and endings (Scorpio) depending on your natal chart.  Â
In between eclipses I celebrated my 30th solar return initiating a new decade and second year with Saturn as my time lord. Astro-speak translation; time lord comes from an ancient timing technique called annual profections. For each year of life, a house and the accompanying sign in the natal chart is profected or activated. The house topics, sign, and ruler of the sign point to themes for the next year. When forecasting or reading a solar return chart, profections narrow the focus as the time lord is the most relevant planet. For example, I just turned 30 so I’m in a 7th house profection year meaning the ruler of my 7th house is my time lord until I turn 31. The 7th house is one-on-one relationships and partnerships, and this area of life will be emphasized. My 7th house is Aquarius ruled by Saturn, and I’m emerging from my 7th house Saturn return making this a year of integrating the lessons I’ve learned.
Transiting Saturn in Pisces will ensure I’m maintaining relational boundaries and being mindful of who I share my energy with. It will be a year for tending relationships where love, care, and reciprocity are abundant. One of my Saturn return lessons is reciprocity. Are the people I’m pouring my energy and care into pouring the same back into me? As a recovering people pleaser, Saturn taught me how to say no without guilt and let go of people who take without giving in return.
While Saturn has been a prominent planet for me lately so has the Moon. Through ritual, journaling, and contemplation I’ve become more aware of her presence as she waxes and wanes through her 29 day cycle. If you’re just getting into astrology, beginning a practice of tracking, studying, and contemplating the Moon is a great place to start. Take note of your energy and the way you feel during a New Moon, First Quarter Moon, Full Moon, and so on. How do the zodiac signs add color, texture, and expression to the lunar phases? Earth signs are grounding, stable, and of the physical realm. Water signs are flowing, intuitive, and of the emotional realm. Fire signs are illuminating, instinctual, and passionate. Air signs are connecting, relational, and curious. Observe how you feel and what you experience during the phases and expressions of the Moon throughout her cycle. Keep a journal or other record, and over time you’ll witness patterns emerge. The Moon is powerful, and through attuning to her we open ourselves to receiving her magic even in the mundane.
It just so happens we have a New Moon in Taurus this Friday, May 19th perfecting at 10:52 AM CDT. Taurus is fixed Earth and the exaltation of the Moon. The Moon is royalty in the fertile, nutrient dense soil of Taurus. Here we find grounding, stability, security, and presence. There’s no urgency only slow, steady growth. This New Moon begins a new 29 day lunar cycle, and it’s a lovely time to begin or come back to your lunar practices. Personally, I’ll be setting an altar, pulling some cards, journaling, and taking a bath with the Himalayan salt and herb blend from Empress Roots.
While New Moons initiate a new cycle, we are still in the dark. The Sun and Moon are conjunct, and the Moon is completely hidden from view leaving us to find our way through the dark. During the three days leading up to the New Moon (the Balsamic phase) and on the New Moon itself, we may feel more lethargic and need rest and alone time. The Balsamic and New Moon phases are opportunities to turn inwards, reset, and focus on tending to our physical and emotional needs.
I learned from astrologer Demetra George the lunar cycle aligns with the life cycle of plants, and the New Moon phase is equivalent to the seed germination phase. An old cycle has just ended leaving us with a seed holding a new vision planted in the ground. However, that seed needs heat and water to germinate and break free of its capsule. The heat is our vision for the future and water is our intention and outward projection of our vision. The New Moon is a time to call in our desires and create a plan to bring those desires into the physical realm.
Tomorrow’s New Moon in Taurus is expanded by the presence of Jupiter and clarified by a recently direct Mercury. Venus in Cancer rules the New Moon adding emphasis to our emotional bonds and connections. How do the ones we love influence our expansion? The North Node is also present fueling hunger for growth. However, Taurean growth is not immediate. It takes time, attention, and care. Remember the lessons of Taurus - patience, presence, slowness, perseverance, and stability. Release instant gratification, urgency, and capitalist conditionings. Seeds worth sowing deserve our time and energy. Get comfortable with the pace of natural growth, and look to plants as our teachers.
If you’re feeling called to wade into the mystical waters of the lunar realm, I have a new offering for you. My Moon Goddess reading is an in depth look at your natal Moon placement including sign, house, and phase. I’ll then introduce an ancient timing technique, secondary lunar progression, where we look at your progressed lunar phase. As we move through life, we live out cycles, and our progressed lunar phase clarifies what phase of life we’re in from New Moon to Full Moon to Balsamic Moon and all the phases in between. The progressed lunar phase has become foundational to my astrological practice and a key to my own self-discovery and healing journey. Finally, the reading will wrap up with a discussion of lunar ritual, manifestation, and any other lunar practices you’d like to discuss. Through the end of May my gift to you is 25% off with coupon code MoonGoddess. I offer in person and virtual readings via Zoom. My calendar is up to date, and you can book here.
Until next time. Happy New Moon, my friends.